Incoming students can apply for a merit scholarship of up to $1,000 in French, German, or Spanish, for their freshman year by submitting an essay in the target language. Should the student continue to merit this scholarship through excellent academic progress in the French, German, or Spanish major or minor, the scholarship can be renewed up to three times following the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures advisor's and chair's nomination.

• View the essay prompts and contest rules.
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Submit Essay

Essay Prompts

Pick from one of the following essay prompts and write it in the target language. Essays should be a minimum of 250 words. Your essay should be well-organized and show knowledge about the object or figure you discuss. Cite any sources you use for this essay. You may discuss ideas with your teacher, but write this essay yourself.

1. You are a famous piece of art/historical object from a well-known museum in France, Germany, Spain, Latin America, or a Francophone country. Comment on your fame; your thoughts about the pressure of representing that country's art or history; your reflections of the different reactions from museum visitors looking at you; as well as on current world events from your perspective.
2. You fall asleep abroad on a train/bus and wake up at the final destination that is a town/village off the beaten tourist path. Discuss your encounter and how your knowledge of another language and culture helps you navigate this adventure.
3. An important German, French/Francophone, Spanish/Latin American literary or historical figure interviews you about your collegiate academic goals and gives you advice about why knowledge of his/her/their language and culture will support you in your future endeavors.
4. You have decided to do a double major at UE. Mention both majors and describe the benefits of combining these two majors. Describe how you foresee applying the foreign language you study in your chosen profession. Give details and examples about your professional aspirations after graduating from UE.

Contest Rules

• Winners of the essay contest could be eligible for a renewal of the scholarship in the amount awarded (up to $1,000).
• Each participant must submit a separate application. Entries must be received by December.
• The contest is open to any student in grades 11-12 who is currently or who has formerly studied French, Spanish, or German.
• The essay must be your own work.
• No student may submit more than one essay.
• The essay must be a minimum of 250 words.
• The scholarship will be credited to the student's account upon their enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Evansville.

If you have any questions, please contact Lesley Pleasant, PhD, at lp84@evansville.edu.

Students will be required to take a language placement test before enrolling in foreign languages and cultures classes at UE.